Saudi Arabia and the US are discussing a “likely” visit by President Joe Biden to the kingdom, Arab diplomatic sources told The National.
Negotiations between Riyadh and Washington are “intense and continuing” and involve security, energy and economic co-operation, the sources said. No dates have been finalised, they said.
Asked about a trip to the Middle East before the end of this month, Mr Biden told reporters it was a possibility.
“There is a possibility that I would be going to meet both the Israelis and some Arab countries at the time, including, I expect … Saudi Arabia,” Mr Biden said on Friday from Delaware.
He cautioned, however, that there was as yet no deal. “I have no direct plans at the moment,” he said.
The White House is now planning a broader trip to the Middle East next month, sources said.
When asked if he would be open to meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on such a trip, Mr Biden replied: “We’re getting way ahead of ourselves here.”
He framed the prospective visit as part of US efforts to “bring more stability and peace to the Middle East”.
A source close to the Iraqi government said Mr Biden is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia as a GCC summit takes place.
Iraq Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, Egypt President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II will also attend, the source said.
During a stop in Riyadh, Mr Biden is likely to meet the crown prince, as well as the leaders of other Arab nations including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the UAE, The New York Times reported.
“We currently have no travel to announce but we can assure you that what the president is focused on first and foremost is how his engagements with foreign leaders advance American interests,” a senior White House official told The National. “That’s as true with Saudi Arabia as anywhere else.
“Just as he has engaged recently with leaders of Asean in Asia and this week with the Summit of the Americas, the president will look for opportunities to engage with leaders from the Middle East region.”
Mr Biden views Saudi Arabia as an important partner on a host of initiatives that the US is working on both in the region and around the world, the official said.
“If he determines that it’s in the interests of the United States to engage with a foreign leader and that such an engagement can deliver results, then he’ll do so,” they said.
“In the case of Saudi Arabia, which has been a strategic partner of the US for nearly 80 years, there’s no question that important interests are interwoven with Saudi Arabia.”
Gulf 'courted' by Moscow and Washington
Mr Biden’s visit is expected to take place during a diplomatic race between Moscow and Washington for Gulf support on the Russia-Ukraine war, said a member of a European official delegation which is on a Middle East tour to discuss the crisis.
“The Gulf is being courted by both sides,” the American diplomat said. “It is good [for the US] that Biden is coming because the US needs to counterbalance Russia’s activity in the region.
Mr Biden has already “given in a bit” to the Arab side by keeping Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the US terrorist list.
“But the US remains dogged by its perceived loss of reliability and the impression in the region that Biden is a weak president,” the diplomat said. “Of course, the unreliability of the US remains an issue. The Gulf states are still asking what will be the US position if we are attacked by Iran. And now we have the food war and these countries have access to cheap commodities from Russia.
US first lady Jill Biden visits Ukraine — in pictures
“It is tough for the US and it difficult to imagine the Gulf supporting the Americans the way they did before. Another factor is how much is the region is turning toward China. Which means in a way that they are turning toward Russia.”
On Thursday, Mr Biden welcomed the extension of a UN-brokered truce between Yemen's warring parties and said Saudi Arabia had demonstrated “courageous leadership” by enacting its terms.
The truce is “a clear example of where [US] engagement with a foreign leader can deliver results”, the White House official said.
“Ending the Yemeni war is a priority of the president’s and the king of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi crown prince played a critical role in securing an extension of the truce that has been in place since April. This truce brought about one of the most peaceful periods since this terrible war began seven years ago and saved thousands of lives.”
Mr Biden has also repeatedly confirmed US commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia in the defence of its territory from Iran and other threats, the official said.
Additional reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
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Company%20profile%20
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last 16, second leg
Liverpool (0) v Atletico Madrid (1)
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: Thursday, March 12, midnight
Live: On beIN Sports HD
CREW
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Brief scores:
QPR 0
Watford 1
Capoue 45' 1
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
More on animal trafficking
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall